Foldable screen-supporting frame.



B. F. WlLLETL' I FOLDABLE SCREEN SUPPORTING FRAME;

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. 9|6r Patented Nov. 20, 191?.

ayaway 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

' Quinn to? B. F WILLETT. FOLDABLE SCREEN SUPPORTING FRAME,

APPLICATION FILED DEC.4, I916.-

Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- pair BENJAMIN F. WILLETT, OF WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA. v

FOLDABLE SCREEN-SUPPORTING FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

Application filed. December 4, 1916. Serial No. 134,991.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. WILLETT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Woodward, in the county of Woodward and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Screen-Supporting Frames; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in foldable screen supporting frames and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient folding frame for supporting a screen or cover to protect articles, or persons from insects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which it may be quickly and easily folded into a small, compact frame when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very efficient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the screen support constructed in accordance with this invention; 4

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same, illustrating the application of a screen applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4% is a perspective view of the screen support in its folded position;

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of the lugs on one of the arms, showing the same in operative engagement with a lug on one of the bars;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the manner in which the arms are pivoted to the bars; and

Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation partly in section illustrating the manner in which the two bars are connected.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawings in whichsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several vlews and in which in Fig. 1, I'have shown my screen support in operative position showing the different portions of the device unfolded.

The main support for the screen comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped inverted crossed frame bars 1 and 2, the frame bar 1 being slightly wider than the bar 2. These .bars are made of any desired material, preferably heavy wire, according to the size of the support. The bars 1 and 2 cross each other or intersect at a point intermediate the closed ends of the same, and the bar 1 at this point is split longitudinally to form an opening 3 thereinwith notches 4 in its opposite sides. The bars 1 and 2 have their ends bent outwardly as shown at 5 to form feet to support the same.

vThe small frame bar 2 is provided with a loop-shaped upwardly projecting portion 6 at a point intermediate its closed end, and when it intersects the bar 1 this loop-shaped portion 6 projects upwardly through the opening 3 in said bar. The loop 6 is elongated, so that when these two bars are in operative position, it will form a handle for the frame. The loop 6 is pivotally mounted through this opening, and the smaller frame bar 2 is consequently adapted to rotate therein. The normal operative position is at right angles to the larger bar 1 and the same is locked in this position by engagement with the notches 4 in the opposite bowed sides of the opening 8 when disposed at right angles with respect to the larger bar. This engagement is additionally carried out by the fact that the normal distance between the sides of the lower end ofthe loop is slightly wider than the distance be tween the sides of the opening, therefore when the smaller bar is turned at right angles to the larger bar, the sides of the loop will be forced into engagement with the notches to lock the parts in operative position. I

The frame bars 1 and 2 are provided with braces that space the screen that surrounds the frame and these braces comprise substantially U-shaped wire rods 7 that have their. free ends pivotally connected with the arms of the larger frame bar '1 as shown at 8, and clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The frame is preferably provided with two of these U-shaped swinging braces disposed on each side of the larger frame bar 1, and when in operation, the braces are disposed at right angles to the same.

The braces 7 are held in operative position, that is, are horizontally disposed by means of engagement with outwardly projecting lugs 9 on the arms 10 of the smaller frame bar 2. The central portions of the outer ends of the braces are notched as shown at 11, and when the braces are swung downwardly, the notches will engage the lugs, thereby limiting the downward movement of the said braces, and holding them in horizontal position.

Then the parts of the frame are opened as'shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, that is the frame bars are disposed at right angles to each other, and the braces are positioned horizontally, a cover or screen 12 of the size corresponding to the frame is adapted to be placed thereover, the said cover being provided with an opening 13 at its top through which the looped handle 6 of the frame bar 2 projects. By this means, the cover supporting frame may be lifted and carried from place to place, and then placed upon a support, the outwardly projecting feet 5 on the lower ends of the frame bar will hold the same upright. Adjacent the feet 5 on the frame bars 1 and 2 are laterally projecting hooks 14, which are adapted to engage the cover to securely position the same on the frame, and to additionally prevent it from becoming disengaged therefrom.

When it is desired to fold this frame,'the cover is removed and the braces 7 are swung upwardly until they are disposed substantially in vertical alinement with the frame bar 1, and then the frame bar 2 is turned, or swung horizontally until it assumes a position in substantial alinement with the other parts of the frame. By this means, the frame may be flattened out to a small compact device, that may be easily stored or carried when not in use. This foldable screen supporting frame is found especially applicable for covering merchandise, etc, that is desired to he kept free from flies or other insects. it is also adapted for use in protecting persons while sleeping from being bothered by flies.

From the foregoing description, the construction and operation of my folding screen support and manner of applying the same to use and the operation thereof will be readily understood, and it will be seen that l have provided a simple and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention.

1 claim 1. A device of the class described comprising a pair of crossed substantially U- shaped inverted frame bars of different widths, the smaller bar pivotally connected with the larger bar at their point of intersection and adapted to swing horizontally I with respect to the same, substantially U- shaped swinging braces pivotally connected with the arms of the larger frame and eX- tending horizontally therefrom when in 0perative position, and said bars adapted to detachably engage the sides of the smaller frame when horizontally disposed.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pair of crossed substantially U- shaped inverted frame bars of different width, a projection on the smaller bar extending upwardly through an opening in the larger bar at the point of intersection, means to lock said bars when disposed at right angles to each other, substantially U- shaped swinging braces pivotally connected with the arms of the larger frame bar, and said braces adapted to detachably engage the sides of'the smaller bar when disposed horizontally in operative position.

3. A device of the class described comprising a pair of crossed substantially U- shaped inverted frame bars of different width, a loop-shaped upwardly projecting portion on the smaller bar, said larger bar having its center split longitudinally and bowed at its point of intersection to receive the looped portion of the bar therethrough, said bowed sides of the opening having notches therein to receive the opposite sides of the loop to lock the smaller bar at right angles to the larger, substantially U-shaped swinging braces pivotally connected with the arms of the larger frame bar, and said braces adapted to detachably engage the sides of the smaller bar when disposed horizontally in operative position.

4. A device of the class described comprising a pair of crossed substantially U- shaped inverted frame bars of different width, the smaller bar pivotally connected with the larger bar at their point of intersection and adapted to swing horizontally with respect to the same, substantially U- shaped brace rods having their ends pivotally connected with the arms of the larger bar and extending horizontally from opposite sides of the same, and projecting lugs on the arms of the smaller frame bar to limit the downward movement of the braces and to hold the same in operative position.

5. A device of the class described comprising a pair of crossed substantially U- shaped inverted frame bars of different width, the smaller bar pivotally connected with the larger bar at their point of intersection and adapted to swing horizontally with respect to the same, substantially U shaped brace rods having their ends pivotally connected with the arms of the larger frame bar and extending horizontally from opposite sides of the same, projecting lugs In testimony whereof I have hereunto set on the arms of the smaller frame bar, and my hand in the presence of two subscribing said braces having notches therein adapted wltnesses.

to engage said lugs When the braces are dis- BENJAMIN F. WILLETT. posed horizontally to limit the downward Witnesses:

movement of the same and to hold them R. H. NIoHoLs,

in operative position. H. E. SMITH.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. I 

